Contemporary social change and Shinto tradition

Abstract

It was in the latter half of the 1960s that the problem of modernization began to be discussed among scholars of religion in Japan. Even at that time, most adherents of the Shinto tradition regarded the idea with disfavor because they felt that the problem had been posed in strictly Western terms. From that time to the present, this attitude remains unchanged. In the Shinto world there is no indication whatever o fanyinterestintheproblemo fsecularization.Comingouto fthis kind of background and atmosphere, I have little confidence that my presentation can hold much meaning for this conference.What I propose to do, however, is to begin by describing the particular sociopolitical situation Shinto has been facing since the end of World WarII. Second, I shall indicate some of the wain ways through which Shinto has sought to respond to social change. Third, I shall present several concrete examples that may serve as material for discussion. Finally, I shall discuss some general problems that Shinto faces